a newsletter of uwm’s center for celtic studies volume vi ......irish fest summer school august...

Fáilte! Croeso! Mannbet! Kroesan! Welcome!

Center Brings Irish Theatre Festival to UW-MilwaukeeThe Acting Irish International Theatre Festival, an annual event alternating between a U.S. and a Canadian host city every year, celebrates the traditions of the Irish stage. This year, as the festival celebrated its 14th anniversary, CCS brought this unique event to campus.

The Peck School of the Arts Mainstage Theatre was the venue for the 2007 festival, presenting “Nine Irish Plays

in Five Irish Days”. Featured playwrights included Brian Friel, Dermot Bolger, Vincent Woods, Hugh Leonard, among others, and groups came from Toronto, Winnepeg, Dublin, South Florida, Chicago and Rochester, NY.

The festival was adjudicated by Ray Yeates. An award-winning director, Yeates has served as artistic director of Dublin’s Abbey Theatre and The Irish Rep in New York. He is currently director of the innovative Axis Arts Centre in his native Dublin. Audiences and participants alike had the opportunity to listen to his critical commentary following the conclusion of each performance.

Through this process, the Acting Irish International Theatre Festival promoted a greater appreciation of the plays presented and encouraged the refinement of the performers’ theatrical craft. While serving to

inspire new levels of achievement, the competition at the festival was friendly and convivial. The awards - specially engraved cream city bricks - were presented by Irish Consul General, the Honorable Sean Farrell, at a banquet at the Pfister Hotel on Sunday. Next year’s venue will be Rochester, NewYork.

Special events during the festival included a presentation to Milwaukee Rep artistic director Joe Hanreddy in recognition

of his long time committment to bringing quality Irish theatre to our city. At the Irish Cultural Heritage Center on Wisconsin Avenue, Ray Yeates unveiled a plaque celebrating the life and work of Milwaukee natives Pat O’Brien and Spencer Tracy.

triskeleA newsletter of UWM’s Center for Celtic Studies

Volume VI Issue I Bealtaine 2007

Joe Hanreddy receives his award from John Gleeson at the opening reception

And The Winners Are...

Outstanding Production At The Black Pig’s Dyke

by Vincent Woods Toronto Irish Players

Outstanding Lead ActorDavid Kyle

Faith Healerby Brian Friel

Rochester Irish Players

Outstanding Lead Actress Lucy Carabine

At the Black Pig’s DykeToronto Irish Players

Outstanding Supporting Actor

Gerry HerbertSummer by Hugh Leonard

Holding Court Theatre, Dublin

Outstanding Supporting

ActressJane Testar

The Spirit of Annie Ross by Bernard Farrell

Tara Players, Winnipeg

Special Adjudicator AwardGaelic Park Players,

ChicagoGetting Buried by Peter

Cunningham

Festival Adjucator Ray Yeates

Ray Yeates with Patrick Guihin unveil the Tracy-O’Brien Plaque

Irish consul General Sean Farrell with the award-winning Toronto Irish Players

volume vI issue 1 triskele page �

ccs lecture series and Events

2007 Conference of Celtic Women

The Center for Celtic Studies is once again proud to co-sponsor the Conference of Celtic Women held annually at the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center in Milwaukee. One of the highlights this year will be the presence of Sheila Stewart, MBE, a ballad singer and story teller from

the ancient culture of the travelling people of Scotland.

Sheila belongs to the “Stewarts of Blairgowrie,” Scotland’s foremost musical

family, and is now the sole carrier of the family’s ballads and stories. She has lectured and performed at both Princeton and Harvard Universities, and sang for Pope John Paul II in Glasgow. Her visit to Milwaukee will coincide with the launch of CCS Professor Josepha Lanters’ new book on the the Irish Travellers.

For more information please call 414.275.3770 or visit the website for the Conference at:http://conferenceofcelticwomen.org/

State Senetor Dave Berger and friends in attendence at a talk at the Hefter Center

Professor Graeme Morton, Scottish Studies Foundation Chair at Guelph University, spoke about Braveheart, and Tim Young presented John Gleeson with the 2006 Celt of the Year Award

CCS Office Assistant Sarah Kissinger and Marquette student, Megan Doehlin at the 2007 Downtown St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Celtic Studies Inspires Film MajorBrian Theisen, CCS Student

In the process of going to UWM pursuing a film degree, out of self-interest I attended a few classes in Celtic studies, which eventually led to a study abroad program in County Donegal to learn the Irish language, and the acquisition of the Celtic Studies Certificate. The significance of my foray into the Celtic studies program was that it probably did more for my film major than most of the film courses I’ve taken.

John Gleeson has kindly been on hand to act in and narrate, as well as providing Gaelic translations of text that

I incorporated into several of my films. For example, my final Senior project was based on a story I had heard in his class on Irish folk beliefs. As it seems very likely that I will take graduate school for film, he has also pointed me in the right direction for a film program in Galway.

So while I went into college without the intention of approaching Celtic studies, it eventually became just as important to me as any of my film courses, and my studies/film certainly would have turned out very different indeed if it had not been for the Center for Celtic Studies.

Ian Day’s energetic delivery of “Tam O’Shanter” was a highlight at our Samhain Celebration

Judge Tom Cooper giving a humorous presentation on “The Crown vs. The Constitution”

Learning Sean-Nós dance at the annual Sean-Nós gathering in February

Betty Mikush retires the Irish colors at the close of the 2006 Conference2006 Speaker Nolwenn Montjarret

with CCS Faculty members


fall �007 class schedule

upcoming events

Anthropology305: The Celtic World

M 5:30pm-8:10pm, Bettina Arnold

Celtic Studies103: First Semester Gaelic

001: MW 9:30am-10:45am, Bairbre Ni Chiardha 002: TR 7:00pm-8:15pm, John Gleeson

203: Third Semester GaelicTR 6:30-7:45pm, Sandy Hofmann

192: Fact & Fiction in Celtic FilmTR 11-12:15, John Gleeson

250: Selected Topics in Celtic Studies:001: Scotland and the Scots

MWF 11:00am-11:50am, Kathleen Foss-Mollan

002: Archaeology of the British IslesW 5:30pm-8:10pm, Chris Hamlin

003: Celtic Roots of Arthurian Literature MW 11:00am-12:15pm, Nancy Walczyk

DanceDance 370-901: (dance majors);

370-902: (non-dance majors), World Movement Traditions: Irish Step Dance

MW 3:00pm-4:15pm, Aine McMenamin-Johnson

English306: Survey of Irish Literature

MW 12:30pm-1:45pm, James Liddy

825: Seminar in Major Figures: James JoyceTR3:30pm-6:10pm, Jose Lanters

History200-001: Historical Roots of Contemporary Issues: The Civil Strife in Northern Ireland

TR 8:00am-9:15am, Timothy Crain

235: (HU) English History to 1688Online Course, Andrew Larson

For more information and course descriptions please visit our website at

http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/celtic/courses

Milwaukee Highland GamesSaturday, June 2

Old Heidelberg Park665 Elm Grove Road,

Elm Grove

Irish Fest Summer SchoolAugust 12-17, 2007

UWM UnionMilwaukee

www.irishfest.com

Irish Fest August 16 - 19th, 2007

Henry Maier Festival GroundsMilwaukee

www.irishfest.com

Wisconsin Highland Games August 31st - September 2nd

Waukesha County Expo Center - 1000 Northview Road,

Waukeshawww.wisconsinscottish.org

Bettina Arnold, Associate Professor, Anthropology. Iron Age European Archaeology

George Clark, Marquette University, Professor, English. Scottish literature

Michael Gillespie, Marquette University, Professor, English. Joyce Scholar

John Gleeson, Senior Lecturer, Celtic Studies. Irish language, Celtic folklore, Irish and Scottish film

Andrew Kincaid, Assistant Professor, English. Irish literature

Josepha Lanters, Professor, English. Irish literature

James Liddy, Professor, English. Irish poetry

Michael Liston, Associate Professor, Philosophy. Scottish and Irish Philosophy

Michael Noonan, Professor, English. Celtic languages

Ruth Schwertfeger, Professor, German. Irish and European cultural studies

Nancy Madden Walczyk, Senior Lecuturer, English. Celtic and Irish literature, Irish women’s studies

Advisory and Curriculum Committee Members

Don’t miss out! For a detailed schedule of events visit us online at: http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/celtic/


in the classroom

ccs students abroadOideas Gael, County Donegalby Mackenzie Henn, CCS Student

Dia Duit! UWM’s Oideas Gael Summer 2006 program was a great experience. I was expecting to learn to speak a little Gaelic and drink some Guinness, but I got so much more out of my three week trip to Ireland.

The four of us arrived in Glencolmcille in the beginning of July. It was most of our first times in Ireland. None of us knew any Gaelic so the four of us began in level “ahem” (one). Over the three weeks we learned how to speak basic conversation Gaelic. The town of Glencolmcille was the perfect place in Ireland to be learning Irish culture. The town has an amazing history and is a beautiful place to hike and swim in the ocean.

Glencolmcille is just minutes away from the Sleive League sea cliffs which we saw from the top and also went on a boat tour underneath. We also visited other places in Ireland including Donegal Town where we got a tour of the Donegal castle, and Derry.

Derry was one of my favorite places in Ireland. Professor Gleeson taught us the incredible history of the town as we walked around the “wall” of Derry. It also was a great opportunity for the girls to shop!

The people in Ireland are amazing. Everyone welcomed us, and helped us throughout our stay. Liam, the director of the school and his assistants were very helpful for all of our traveling needs.

The cottage home we stayed in was perfect. The front door opened up to a beautiful view of the ocean, the hills, and friendly neighbors. People came from all over the world to learn Gaelic. The four of us had a great time meeting new people from Belfast, Scotland, Nova Scotia, Boston, Romania, and more.

We met the President Mary McAleese and a few of us got to Irish dance with her! Every night the town’s three pubs filled with our classmates, to practice Gaelic, sing songs, and tip some dark beer back. Oideas Gael is a great experience I would recommend it to everyone. Slán go fóill!

Mackenzie and friends relax between classes with President McAleese

Picnic atop the peaks

Certificate Awards Ceremony

The Certificate Program in Celtic Studies provides for students in any field an integrated course of study across several curricular areas into the historical and contemporary cultures of the Irish, Scots, Welsh, Cornish, Manx, Breton, and Galician peoples. Students can concentrate on the Celtic languages, both spoken and written, or they may choose investigate the broader themes of the Celtic world, such as art, archaeology, literature, history, folklore, music, and myth. Students also are encouraged to enrich their campus experience through participation in study-abroad programs.

Gach Bealtaine (Each Maytime) we recognize the academic achievements of our students with a celebratory evening at the Hefter Center.

Certificate Awardees with Co-Directors John Gleeson and Bettina Arnold of the Center for Celtic Studies and Associate Professor Tim Mc Mahon of Marquette who gave a presentation on the Centrality of Language in Modern Ireland.

Comhghairdeas! We congratulate the follow students on achieving their certificates:Jill Baade - Language and Cultural

Rebecca Bovee - Language and CulturalDiana Susan Burke - CulturalAnna Marie Connors - Cultural

Eileen Hogan - CulturalThomas Patrick Fisher - Language and Cultural

Sharon Kelley - CulturalCatherine Murphy - Language and Cultural

Brendan O’Connell - CulturalKristy Sippel - Cultural

Jackie Lynn Wright - Cultural


ccs students abroadColmcille SemesterThomas Fisher, CCS Student

As a sophomore last spring, I participated in the Colmcille Semester with other students studying the Irish language, culture, and history. The Colmcille Semester is set up to take the students all over the island, from the bustling streets of Dublin to a wee village on the Atlantic coast where the most traffic you will run into is the sheep. Studying abroad in Ireland was a great opportunity to open my eyes to the world around me, to meet new people, and to experience the adventure of being in a completely new environment.

The other program students and I spent the first part of our trip in Glencolmcille, a village of a few hundred or so people spread throughout an oceanside glen. The sound of the Atlantic crashing on the beach, the sheep in the fields, the smell of turf fires, and the random passer-by as you walk to class are all the wonderful attributes of Glencolmcille during the winter months.

The classes taken are on the Irish language and the history and archeology of the area, taught to us by locals who love teaching, especially to Americans who have traveled so far to learn about their culture. Time of course was spent in the local pubs, meeting locals and hearing their views on the world, some becoming quite good friends.

Derry is an old city with a lot of history behind it. The surrounding countryside is absolutely gorgeous. One of my favorite views was of the hills of Donegal that you could see as a backdrop every time

you approached the student living area.

After settling down, an orientation at the university with all other international students enabled us to pick our classes. The beauty of this program is that we share classes with the Irish students, and live amongst them as well, making it quite easy to meet our fellow Irish students. The opportunity to get involved with the athletic teams and other clubs was open to us as well.

As part of the program, we were able to travel to Dublin where Professor Gleeson took us on a great tour of the city over the extent of a weekend stay.

From Kilainham Jail to Trinity College, the National Museum of Ireland, as well as other sites of historic and cultural significance, we became immersed in the culture of Dublin. On another excursion we went to Glenveagh National

Park, which was extremely breathtaking for its beauty, and we received a personal tour of the castle and the surrounding gardens. Another of our planned weekend trips called for travel to the city of Sligo, where we were shown the archeology of the area and told the history of one of the greatest Irish writers, William Butler Yeats. All of these trips were great learning experiences.

There was plenty of time for independant travel on long weekends and spring break. Some of my friends traveled to other countries like Spain, England, Greece and Italy. I took the opportunity to travel more extensively around Ireland. I purchased a bike early in the semester. With just my bike and a backpack, I bussed down south and took the next two

weeks to journey home via the back roads of Ireland. Staying at hostels, it was a great way to see the country, meet people, and truly feel the ease of being on “Irish time”.

I had great conversations with locals from all parts of Ireland, played English Scrabble with students from Spain, hung out with Irish Harley bikers, and even bumped into other travelers from Wisconsin. Leaving Derry was like leaving my new home, for everyone and everything about it made me feel at home, but the time had come to head home to Milwaukee. Back home emails are exchanged as a way to keep in contact with the friends I met abroad. The opportunity to study in Ireland was one I will never forget. Not only was it a dream come true, but it was a great learning experience.

Trekking through the hills of Donegal

Having a pint at The Long Hall, one of Dublin’s oldest literary pubs

Kilmainham Jail and Museum, Dublin

Enjoying the Atlantic view, Sleive League


ccs student activities

scholarship recipientsComhghairdeas!

The Center for Celtic Studies would like to congratulate three students who were awarded scholarships in 2006. We are pleased to indrouduce you to them here. As the three were not available for a group photo, we have substituted their images with those of a few stand-ins.

Caint agus craic!Le Caitríona Ní Murchadha (Catherine Murphy), CCS Student

Years ago, I was sitting in my then favorite public house, Nash’s Irish Castle, enjoying a pint of the black stuff and chatting with a friend. It became known to me that once a week there was a group that met there to learn Irish. I was thoroughly intrigued by the idea, and spent the summer happily plodding along with a wonderful teacher, Sinéad Pitterle, who patiently helped me learn to say hello and count to ten. After an extended sabbatical from the language, I was hopelessly overcome by the need to learn more. I fell headlong into the Irish community and found myself pursuing dual certificates in Language and Culture through the Center for Celtic Studies at UW-Milwaukee.

Last fall I got it into my head that I was going to start hosting informal gatherings where students of the Irish language could congregate and chat as Gaeilge. Attendance was underwhelming, but I pressed on. It so happened that this spring I was happily joined in my endeavor by another student with a passion for the language – Tómas Fisher. With John Gleeson as our guide, we’ve made our way through our fourth semester of Irish and have made a home for our Gaeltacht at County Clare Inn and Pub. Our merry band of miscreants and n’er do wells includes among others, local characters Nicole Brushel, Cathal O’Neill, Bairbre Ní Chiardha, and Stephen O’Sullivan.

Every Monday night at seven o’clock, Irish speakers of all levels can experience a convivial and relaxed evening of learning and listening. As we’re students ourselves, we charge no fees and we most certainly do not issue homework – we just want the opportunity to use our Irish as well as provide

others in the community a friendly place to learn and use Irish – or even just to listen. No knowledge of Irish is required, and we promise to be gentle in our instruction. Fáilte roimh cach! All are welcome. If you wish to join us, the Clare is located at 1234 N. Astor Street in Milwaukee.

D’foglaim sí an Ghaeilge le dúil inti. She learnt Irish with a passion.

Is aislingeach í Caitríona.

Nicole & Cathal leaning in the arch, enjoying a random session after class at County Clare

Thomas FisherPlayed by Cuchulainn

Catherine MurphyPlayed by Queen Mabh

Kell CholePlayed by St. Bridget

Thomas and Catherine received their awards from the Shamrock Club of Wisconsin, with both students using their scholarshops to offset the cost of studying abroad in Ireland. Tómas spent a semester in Ireland in Donegal and Derry, and Catherine will attend the Oideas Gael program in Donegal this summer. Kell received the Paddy Clancy scholarship and will be studying Irish music at the University of Limerick later this year.

For information on available scholarships please see facing page

volume vI issue 1 triskele page 7

deireadh seachtaine na gaeilge

scholarships

Deireadh Seachtaine 2007Sandy Hofmann, CCS Faculty

Gaeilgeóirí gathered again at the DeKoven Center for the 12th annual Deireadh Seachtaine na Gaeilge the last weekend in April. This weekend of Irish language immersion featured classes ranging from “no Irish” to “liofa” or fluent speakers. Each evening was highlighted by a social featuring “craic, caint agus ceol” (fun, talk and music) along with snacks and beverages.

The ever-popular siúlóid nádúr – nature walk acquainted strollers with the Irish terms for the many trees, bushes and flowers on the campus. In addition to providing ample time for strolling through the beautiful lakeside grounds, the weekend also featured a variety of cultural and musical workshops, plus a well-stocked bookstore with Irish language books and materials for sale.

This year promised something new, as well. A game room set up with a sampling of Irish language games, both original and adapted.

As with all Deireadh Seachtaine, the festivities begin with dinner on Friday

evening, followed by a class and social and then a schedule of classes interspersed with workshops and breaks on Saturday and Sunday until noon.

Participants are comfortably accommodated in historic Taylor Hall, which is the site of the classes and workshops as well, so those who want to “chill” need not step outside the whole weekend.

The event is sponsored by Craobh Curtin, Conradh na Gaeilge, the Curtin Branch of the Gaelic League, supported by CCS. Last year’s weekend drew gaeilgóirí as well as brand new Irish language learners from Ohio, Minnesota, and Illinois, as well as from several localities in Wisconsin. Two UWM students attenended as well, thanks to a scholarship through the Center for Celtic Studies.

For further information, contact Co- Cathaoirleach Séamus Kearney ([email protected]) or Co-Cathaoirleach Eibhlín Carpenter ([email protected]) For information and directions to DeKoven, see the DeKoven website at:http://www.dekovencenter.pair.com

The annual Madison Deareadh Seachtaine will take place in October of this year!

2006 Participants gather for a group shot

Instructor Dineen Grow of Madison takes a break from her lesson

Scholarship applications are available in the Center for Celtic Studies office, located in Holton Hall, Room 290. Please note that the scholarships have various deadlines.

The Paddy Clancy Scholarhip funds study at the University of Limerick in Ireland.

The Shamrock Club Scholarship provides financial assistance to any individual interested in furthering his or her knowledge of Irish culture and heritage.

Irish Fest Scholarships can be applied to any area of study.

The Saint Andrew’s Society Scholarship funds study in the Celtic Studies Certificate program, with an emphasis on Scottish Culture.

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special eventsCenter for Celtic Studies brings Irish Government exhibit to UWMTo mark the centenary of Irish Nobel Prize Writer Samuel Beckett’s birth, CCS arranged for the Golda Mier Library to host an Irish Government sponsored exhibition of the writer’s life and work. In December 2006, at the opening reception James Liddy spoke about his fellow writer in a talk titled “The Strangest Dubliner.” (text below)

There are four great Dubliners in the Pantheon of the Muses. Wilde and Beckett are united by brilliances sour and sweet, they were Medusas of the theatre who turne critics to stone. Both were educated at Portora Royal school and Trinity College, Dublin. Yeats and Beckett are united by the aura of the Abbey Theatre.

Joyce and Beckett bear the most intense bonds, Beckett sat with Joyce taking dictation and making manuscript suggestions. Four giant Dubliners- and no, Virginia, George Bernard Shaw was not among them.

Remember Modernism, it meant you were engaged on a great work, first as an apprentice and then as a master.

We had a great port city, second city of the British Empire, a mixture of races, the womb, the matrix. Beckett and Joyce were the city realists, Joyce paraded the streets, Beckett walked on the hills. They both saw the sea-edge, Joyce Sandycove Beckett Killiney and Greystones. Joyce liked to sing, Beckett liked to play and watch, cricket, rugby, and golf.

I remember my hero Patrick Kavanagh telling us with delight of the afternoon he spent with Sam at the Oval Cricket grounds. I saw Beckett on his last visit to Dublin, 1959; I was walking on the cobblestones from the library where I was working on a M.A-suddenly the doors of the theatre were thrown open and the beadles came out with their silver maces, followed by the honorary doctors.

There was Beckett passing by me staring down on the cobblestones. A few minutes previously he had been described by the Public Orator, “For a while one of our lecturers in French, then a helper of James Joyce in Paris.” That speech was of course in Latin.

The old City of Dublin as we knew it in its post-Edwardian hayday, with its mellifluous leisure, all day all week to converse, endless repartee glitter. Etched for ever by the solitary walks of two young men, Mr. Dedalus, Mr. Beckett.

So why is Beckett a strange Dubliner? He had an air of unCeltic gravity, his opinions were private, he was a hero (of the French Resistance), he didn’t dance on his birthday. He focused on landscapes not landmarks, he went up the mountains on weekends with his father, not to meet the Father, not to listen to the melodies from the clouds.

Like Mercier and Camier he wanted to lie on the grass and not get up. He had the wish for death of the Sibyl at Cumae. And like Mercier and Camier, and in this he was not too different, he exclaimed, “Christ, a pint.”

He declared to his life-long friend Tom McGreevey, “It’s impossible to have health in Dublin. Of any kind.” Here’s a health to you, Master, and here’s another toast, to Exile.

During the exhibition the award-winning “Beckett on Film” Series was screened at various venues on campus. Beckett on Film is a unique project. For the first time, all 19 of Samuel Beckett’s plays were filmed, bringing together some of the world’s most talented directors and actors.

Directors include Atom Egoyan, Damien Hirst, Neil Jordan, Conor McPherson, Damien O’Donnell, David Mamet and Anthony Minghella. The exceptional acting talent involved Michael Gambon, the late John Gielgud, John Hurt, Jeremy Irons, Julianne Moore, Harold Pinter, Alan Rickman and Kristin Scott Thomas.

Where I am, I

don’t know, I’ll

never know, in

the silence you

don’t know, you

must go on, I can’t

go on, I’ll go on.-Samuel Beckett

They give

birth astride

of a grave,

the light

gleams an

instant, then

it’s night

once more.-Samuel Beckett


CCS FACULTY newsCenter for Celtic Studies Faculty Member Wins O’Henry PrizeGeorge Clark, who has been awarded an O. Henry Prize for his short story, “Center of the World,” and has also been a finalist for the Caine Prize for African Writing, didn’t write his first story until age 32. At various stages in his life, he could describe himself as a musician, a soldier in Angola, a bush guide in Brazil a Balla Deor in Scotland and a newspaper editor in Germany. Clark joined the Center for Celtic Studies Advisory Committee soon after his arrival at UWM and teaches our Scottish Literature Courses.

Winning the O. Henry puts him in the company of past winners such as William Faulkner, Joyce Carol Oates, Truman Capote and Sherman Alexie. While honored, Clark says the award didn’t come as a complete surprise because he has been short-listed for it in previous years. He’s also been short-listed for the Best American Short Story Award and the National Magazine Award for Fiction. “A friend calls me the Susan Lucci of the anthologies,” he jokes. Like many writers, he draws material from his own unique life. Clark grew up under the white-minority government of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) with a father who was of mixed race and a Scottish mother.

“Most of what I write about has really happened or it almost happened,” says Clark. “The things I make up, those are somehow a metaphor for some truth I’m trying

to get at.” Place is more than just a setting for Clark’s tales. Strong themes circulate through his work: the breakdown of tribal customs, the harshness of war, cultural differences in spirituality, racial tension and human relationships under stress.

While he thinks “The Center of the World” was his best work at the time, he says his writing continues to evolve. For example, he says, he is slowing moving away from race as a central theme.

Today, Clark shares a Craftsman-style bungalow on Milwaukee’s South Side with his spouse Rikki, who also teaches in our program, and his daughter. The title of Clark’s novel-in-progress is “Tree of Diamond,” which he calls an aftermath story. It explores the aftershocks of colonialism and civil war on contemporary Angola.

It will be his third novel, joining a pool that includes more than two dozen published stories. Not bad for a guy who chose his career after signing up for a graduate writing course by accident.

“Human beings are storytelling animals,” he says with a smile.

Critical Welcome for Andrew Kincaid’s New BookIn his newly published book “Post Colonial Dublin”, CCS faculty member Andrew Kincaid illustrates how the architecture and urban planning of Dublin have been integral to debates about nationalism, modernism, and Ireland’s relationship to the rest of the world.

Looking at objects such as Londonderry’s Market House, Patrick Abercrombie’s Dublin of the Future, and the urban renewal project of today’s Temple Bar, Kincaid highlights Ireland’s colonial history and the significance of architecture in the evolution of national identity. In doing so, he demonstrates how ideology creates its own space.

“Complicates our understanding of how imperial and national authorities have consolidated and maintained power in Ireland. A compelling reading of the city that supplements previous depictions of Ireland’s relationship

to modernity. While focusing on Dublin’s architecture and urban planning in the twentieth century, the scope of Kincaid’s book encompasses a field of interest much larger than Irish Studies.

Postcolonial Dublin succeeds in showing the various movements and concerns represented by Dublin’s urban geography; by tracing the physical changes in the city, Kincaid explains how these plans are tied up with attempts to rewrite the relationship between the past and the present.

The rigor with which Kincaid works to take account of the multiplicity of voices that speak from Dublin’s built environment—especially his lucid explanation of modernity as the clash between the critical stance of artistic modernism and national schemes for industrial modernization—will interest scholars of Urban Studies, and more general scholars of the twentieth century as well.”

—New Hibernia Review


celtic pathways

On Holiday with CCS Pam Kissinger, Traveler

Twenty-four intrepid travelers set off from UWM on Sunday, June 16, 2006 for 12 days in Ireland and Scotland on a tour led by John Gleeson of the UWM Center for Celtic Studies.

In Dublin, our first stop, we saw the impressive St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the largest church ever built in Ireland, and visited Trinity College to view the 8th century illuminated manuscript, The Book of Kells. Evenings were highlighted with most enjoyable entertainment.

Enroute to County Sligo, home of the famous William Butler Yeats, we enjoyed spectacular view of the lush green Irish countryside and stopped at the mysterious “Seven Wonders of Fore”.

After a night in a real Irish Castle in County Cavan, we stepped back nearly 5000 years in history with a stop at Creevykeel Court Cairn.

At our next major stop in Donegal we were joined by singer Tom Sweeny, a long time friend of Milwaukee’s Irish community, for an evening of song. The next morning found us headed for Slieve League with cliffs that drop 1000 feet to the ocean. Some of the heartier souls in the group hiked to the top for an awe inspiring view.

After visiting the Giant’s Causeway (no giants were in residence at the time) and a folk museum with cottages illustrating life in Ireland over many years, Belfast was our next destination.

A major industrial city in Northern Ireland, Belfast was quite a departure from the rolling green hills and magnificent scenery of the past several days.

Leaving Ireland on the fast ferry from Belfast, we landed in Stranraer, Scotland. The awe inspiring scenery of western Scotland led us along the banks of Loch Lomond, through the Scottish Highlands and on to Inverary. A visit to Inverary Castle, home of the Duke of Argyll, was a highlight of the day.

Our first overnight stop in Scotland was the picturesque

little port of Oban. The sunsets over the harbor were breathtaking. A short ferry trip to the Isle of Mull and another to the Isle of Iona gave us the opportunity to visit one of the leading ancient centers of Christianity in Europe. Later, we all searched the waters for a glimpse of “Nessie” at Loch Ness, but sadly, he did not make an appearance.

In Edinburgh, we spent the afternoon exploring the historic Edinburgh Castle after a visit to the fascinating Rosslyn Chapel. Made famous by “The DaVinci Code”, it is linked to Freemasonry, the Knights Templar, the Holy Grail and a wealth of strange stories and oddities.

Ornate stone carvings cover most of the chapel which was built in the 1400’s by master craftsmen brought from all over Europe. Work is underway in an attempt to save the structure which sadly is

deteriorating.

We returned, awed by the stunning scenery and with a deep appreciation of the area’s history and folklore. By far, the most memorable part of the trip was the opportunity to meet and chat with the local residents.

Everyone was friendly and helpful, always happy to share a story, extend a greeting or answer a question. We learned the true value of the area lies in its people.

Investigating the Standing Stones at Nether Largy in Argyll, Scotland

Contemplating Sliebh League, the highest sea cliffs in Europe

Guinness for Strength - end of the bar, end of the night

Local Historian Oliver Usher talks about Fore Abbey


celtic music at uwm

Center Brings Celtic Music to CampusSarah Kissinger, CCS Office Assistant

One of my duties in CCS has been to help coordinate various musical events. In the past year I’ve had the pleasure of of working with such bands as Flogging Molly, The Sandcarvers and áthas. By bringing these kinds of shows to UWM students, we are able to showcase some of the best of contemporary Celtic music around. For those who may have missed out on these sellout events, I offer some personal comments on our talented guests:

Flogging Molly“My family would go to the pub and gather up people to come back to the house to play tin whistle, mandolin, fiddle and spoons, with my mom on piano and my uncle on accordion,” reminisces Dave King of Flogging Molly. “But I wanted to run away from that. As you get older, you want to pick up electric guitars and play loud. You rebel against those traditional elements.” So Dave hit the road and did just that.

“The first time we all got together to play, there was an energy in the room that I’d never experienced in any other band I’d ever been in… and it wasn’t due to any single ingredient, instrument or individual,” King said.

Describing the band’s unique melting pot, King said, “If it didn’t have mandolin, accordion, fiddle and whistle, it would be punk-rock, and if it didn’t have guitar, bass and drums, it would be traditional Irish music. Flogging Molly has both.”

The SandcarversIt’s Celtic. It’s Rock. ‘Nuff said. Take the essence of traditional Celtic music and culture, add lyrics that are both compelling and emotive, then throw in a band that—simply put—rocks. The Sandcarvers weave sounds from a variety of different styles and genres, resulting in a melodious mix of the familiar and the fresh, the challenging and yet, the accessible.

Celtic, rock, folk—old world and new—The Sandcarvers are an all-American, working-class band with worldwide headquarters in southeast Wisconsin. While many bands go for the “polished and slick” sound for their studio recordings and forget about the passion and the fire, the Sandcarvers forget neither. If you’ve missed well-written, meaningful music, with a beat and musicianship that will surely stir the Celtic soul within then this band is for you.

áthasHeather Lewin-Tiarks, Amy Richter, and Jeff Ksiazek have survived their sophomore year as Milwaukee Irish trad band, áthas (joy). Given to great bodhran riffs, Amy sets the rhythm while Jeff and Heather are magic with melody. I really like working with áthas because they are all alumni of our Celtic Studies program.

In addition to a busy performance schedule, the trio hosts a regular Sunday session with set dancing at the Irish Pub on Water Street in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, as well as playing for set dancers on the first Friday of every month at the Ardor Pub downtown.

faculty quiz

Center for Celtic StudiesUniversity of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeP.O. Box 413Milwaukee, WI 53201

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In each edition of the Triskele, a Celtic Studies faulty member answers a series of questions. This issue, we interview Associate Lecturer in the Department of History, Nicholas Wolf.

What or who is your greatest love?My wife, Elizabeth.

What is your greatest extravagance?I love to spend money on food. I cook a lot, so I’ll spend hours preparing recipes and shopping for ingredients. I especially like tracking down exotic spices to try in new meals.

Which talent would you most like to have?As a devoted listener of jazz music, I have always wanted to be able to play drums in a jazz group. I truly admire musical talent and wish I had more.

What is your most treasured possession?I really treasure my bicycle because I rely on it so much to get me around town. It is a real workhorse. It has to be, since it has to survive hauling heavy loads of books from the library and the wear and tear of harsh winters.

What is your greatest regret?I’ve always regretted not learning more foreign languages when I was younger, or taking opportunities to learn them abroad. They say it only gets harder as you become older.

What is the quality you most like in a human being?I enjoy being around folks who are curious. Curiosity, to me, signals a willingness to learn and listen to others.

In which of the Celtic regions would you like to spend a year of your life?I really hope to spend some time in the mountains of Wales some day. A year spent there traveling, studying, and sightseeing would be wonderful.

If you could choose what to come back as, what would it be?A housecat.

Who is your favorite Celtic music performer(s)?The 1970s rock band Thin Lizzy. There is a concert in Dublin every year devoted to their frontman, Philip Lynott.

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Center for Celtic StudiesPhone: 414-229-6520Fax: 414-229-6827e-mail: [email protected]: www.uwm.edu/Dept/celtic

Triskele Editorial Staff:John Gleeson, Sarah Kissinger, Catherine Murphy

Photo Credits: Megan Doehling, Thomas Fisher, Mackenzie Henn, Pam Kissinger, Sarah Kissinger, Catherine Murphy, Eamonn O’Neill, Jesse Steinke

a newsletter of uwm’s center for celtic studies volume vi ......irish fest summer school august...

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